Cartridge memory having a plurality of memory banks , tape cartridge, and recording and reproducing system

ABSTRACT

A cartridge memory used for a tape cartridge includes: a communication unit that communicates with a recording and reproducing device using a wireless communication method defined by an ISO 14443-2 standard which is a wireless communication standard; a non-volatile memory with a storage capacity exceeding 16 KB; and a control unit that writes or reads data to or from the non-volatile memory on a word-by-word basis (2 bytes at a time) or on a block-by-block basis (32 bytes at a time). The non-volatile memory includes a plurality of memory banks each having a storage capacity of 128 KB or less. The control unit writes or reads data defined by a magnetic tape standard to or from one or two or more first memory banks among the plurality of the memory banks, and writes or reads additional data to or from one or two or more second memory banks other than the first memory bank.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cartridge memory, a tape cartridge,and a recording and reproducing system.

BACKGROUND ART

Magnetic recording media are widely used for storage of electronic data.In particular, magnetic tapes having low cost per data unit capacityhave regained attention and are utilized in data centers and the liketogether with hard disk drives (HDDs) as recording media used in cloudstorage services.

Magnetic tapes conforming to the Linier Tape Open (LTO) Ultrium standardare in widespread use as the magnetic tapes. A non-contact non-volatilememory using RF wireless communication called a cartridge memory (CM) isembedded in a tape cartridge conforming to the LTO Ultium standard (see,for example, Patent Document 1). Information such as manufacturinginformation, drive usage history, and vendor-specific managementinformation are written to the cartridge memory, for example. The usageof the cartridge and the like can be checked in a short time by loadingthe cartridge into a drive and then the drive reading the aboveinformation from the cartridge memory.

As the storage capacity of the magnetic tape conforming to the LTOstandard increases, the storage capacity of the cartridge memory needsto be increased. This is because the amount of information written tothe cartridge memory increases in accordance with the storage capacityof the magnetic tape.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-109353

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, the Liner Tape Open Generation 8 (LTO-8) or IBM 3592 standardspecifies the storage capacity of the cartridge memory to be 16 KB.Thus, if the storage capacity of the cartridge memory is increased toexceed 16 KB in accordance with the increase in the information writtento the cartridge memory, there is a possibility that compatibility withthe above existing standards is lost.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cartridge memory, atape cartridge, and a recording and reproducing system that can improvethe storage capacity while maintaining compatibility with an existingstandard.

Solutions to Problems

In order to solve the above problem, a first disclosure is

a cartridge memory used for a tape cartridge, including:

a communication unit that communicates with a recording and reproducingdevice using a wireless communication method defined by an ISO 14443-2standard which is a wireless communication standard;

a non-volatile memory with a storage capacity exceeding 16 KB; and

a control unit that writes or reads data to or from the non-volatilememory on a word-by-word basis (2 bytes at a time) or on ablock-by-block basis (32 bytes at a time), in which

the non-volatile memory includes a plurality of memory banks each havinga storage capacity of 128 KB or less,

the control unit writes or reads data defined by a magnetic tapestandard to or from one or two or more first memory banks among theplurality of the memory banks, and

additional data is written or read to or from one or two or more secondmemory banks other than the first memory bank.

A second disclosure is

a cartridge memory used for a tape cartridge, including:

a communication unit that communicates with a recording and reproducingdevice using a wireless communication method defined by an ISO 14443-2standard which is a wireless communication standard;

a non-volatile memory with a storage capacity exceeding 16 KB; and

a control unit that writes or reads data to or from the non-volatilememory on a block-by-block basis (32 bytes at a time), in which

the non-volatile memory includes a plurality of memory banks each havinga storage capacity of 2 MB or less,

the control unit writes or reads data defined by a magnetic tapestandard to or from one or two or more first memory banks among theplurality of the memory banks, and

additional data is written or read to or from one or two or more secondmemory banks other than the first memory bank.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present disclosure, the storage capacity can beimproved while maintaining compatibility with an existing standard. Notethat the present disclosure may have an effect not necessarily limitedto the one described herein but any effect described in the presentdisclosure or an effect different therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording and reproducing systemaccording to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a tape cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a cartridge memory.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a non-volatile memory.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of therecording and reproducing system according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of arecording and reproducing system according to a second embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of arecording and reproducing system according to a third embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of arecording and reproducing system according to a fourth embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a variation of a non-volatile memory.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a variation of a non-volatile memory.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in the followingorder. Note that in all the drawings of the following embodiments, partsthat are identical or correspond to each other will be assigned the samereference numeral.

1 First embodiment (example of recording and reproducing system)

2 Second embodiment (example of recording and reproducing system)

3 Third embodiment (example of recording and reproducing system)

4 Fourth embodiment (example of recording and reproducing system)

5 Variation

1 First Embodiment

[Configuration of Recording and Reproducing System]

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a recording and reproducing system 100according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes atape cartridge 10 having a magnetic tape MT and a cartridge memory 11,and a recording and reproducing device (drive) 20 that can load andunload the tape cartridge 10.

(Recording and Reproducing Device)

The recording and reproducing device 20 includes a reader/writer 21 as acommunication unit, a recording and reproducing unit 22, a systemcontroller 23 as a control unit, and an interface 24. The recording andreproducing device 20 is connected to an external computer 200 via theinterface 25.

The reader/writer 21 communicates with the cartridge memory 11 using awireless communication method defined by the ISO 14443-2 standard whichis a wireless communication standard. The recording and reproducing unit22 includes a drive unit (not shown) for running the magnetic tape MT, ahead unit (not shown), and the like, and performs recording andreproducing of data on the magnetic tape MT.

The system controller 23 controls each unit of the recording andreproducing device 20 such as the reader/writer 21, and the recordingand reproducing unit 22. The system controller 23 includes a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory(RAM), and the like not shown.

The interface 24 is connected to the recording and reproducing unit 22and the external computer 200. A signal read from the magnetic tape MTby the recording and reproducing unit 22 is output to the externalcomputer 200 via the interface 24. On the other hand, a signal to berecorded on the magnetic tape MT by the recording and reproducing unit22 is supplied from the external computer 200 via the interface 24.

The interface 24 may be connected to the reader/writer 21. In this case,the reader/writer 21 can be controlled by an operation input from theexternal computer 200 connected to the interface 24.

(Tape Cartridge)

The tape cartridge 10 is a tape cartridge conforming to the so-calledLTO standard or IBM standard and as illustrated in FIG. 2 includes,inside a cartridge case 12 including a lower shell 12A and an uppershell 12B, a reel 13 around which the magnetic tape MT is wound, a reellock 14 and a reel spring 15 for locking the rotation of the reel 13, aspider 16 for unlocking the reel 13, a slide door 17 for opening andclosing a tape outlet 12C provided in the cartridge case 12 across thelower shell 12A and the upper shell 12B, a door spring 18 for urging theslide door 17 to a closed position of the tape outlet 12C, a writeprotection 19 for preventing accidental erasure, and the cartridgememory 11. The reel 13 has a substantially disk shape with an opening atthe center, and includes a reel hub 13A and a flange 13B made from hardmaterial such as plastic.

The cartridge memory 11 used in the tape cartridge 10 includes, asillustrated in FIG. 3, an antenna coil 31, a rectifier power supplycircuit 32 that generates power supply by generating and rectifyingpower using induced electromotive force from radio waves received by theantenna coil 31, a clock circuit 33 that generates a clock by also usingthe induced electromotive force from radio waves received by the antennacoil 31, a detector/modulator circuit 34 that detects radio wavesreceived by the antenna coil 31 and modulates a signal to be transmittedby the antenna coil 31, a controller 35 that includes a logic circuit orthe like for determining a command and data from a digital signalextracted from the detector/modulator circuit 34 and processing thecommand and data, and a non-volatile memory (NVM) 36.

The non-volatile memory 36 has a storage capacity exceeding 16 KB whichis larger than the storage capacity defined by the LTO-8 or IBM 3592magnetic tape standard. An electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM) is typically used as the non-volatile memory 36, but amagnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), a resistive random accessmemory (ReRAM), or the like may be used as well.

The cartridge memory 11 is configured such that the antenna coil 31 anddetection/modulation conform to the ISO 14443-2 standard in the radiofrequency (RF) band, and the command system conforms to the LTO 8 or IBM3592 standard. According to these standards, the non-volatile memory 36provided in the cartridge memory 11 can be accessed on a word-by-wordbasis (2 bytes at a time) or on a block-by-block basis (32 bytes at atime), where addressing can be performed using a 12-bit address in theword-by-word access or a 16-bit address in the block-by-block access.The usable memory capacity is 128 KB at the maximum in a case where anaccess is made on a word-by-word basis (2 bytes at a time), or is 2 MBat the maximum in a case where an access is made on a block-by-blockbasis (32 bytes at a time). These are the limitations on the capacitythat can be realized in terms of specifications.

The cartridge memory 11 includes four banks BK0 to BK3, a bank switchregister 41, and a multiplexer 42 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Although thefour banks BK0 to BK3 are configured by four 16 KB memories in anexample described herein, the number of banks is not limited to that ofthis example but can be selected at will as long as there are two ormore banks irrespective of being an even number of banks or an oddnumber of banks.

The bank switch register 41 is for switching the banks BK0 to BK3 suchthat a bank to/from which data is to be written or read is any one ofthe banks BK0 to BK3. The bit length of the bank switch register 41varies depending on the number of banks but needs only be 2 bits minimumin the case of four banks. In other words, it is sufficient if theswitching can be controlled in the number of ways equal to a square oftwo (2²), that is, in four ways, as a combination. For performing writeto the bank switch register 41, for example, one word (2 bytes) being aminimum access unit is reserved, where 2 bits of the one word areallocated for bank switching. The one word for performing write to thebank switch register 41 is preferably allocated in a reserved area whichis unused according to the LTO standard, for example, but may beallocated in any write protected area in the cartridge memory 11. Themultiplexer 42 sets any of the banks BK0 to BK4 as a destination towhich data is written in accordance with an input signal from the bankswitch register 41.

Each of the banks BK0 to BK3 has a storage capacity of 128 KB or less,preferably 16 KB or more and 128 KB or less. The bank (first memorybank) BK0 corresponds to a storage area of an existing cartridge memoryconforming to the LTO-8 or IBM 3592 standard. Normal data is written tothe bank BK0. Here, the “normal data” means data defined in the LTO-8 orIBM 3592 standard.

The banks (second memory banks) BK1 to BK3 correspond to extendedstorage areas for the storage area of the existing cartridge memorydescribed above. Additional data is written to the banks BK1 to BK3.Here, the additional data means data not defined in the LTO-8 or IBM3592 standard. Examples of the additional data include management ledgerdata, a copy of the normal data written to the bank BK0, an errorcorrection code of the normal data written to the bank BK0, indexinformation, and the like but are not limited to these pieces of data.

The system controller 23 of the recording and reproducing device 20requests the cartridge memory 11 to write or read the normal data.Specifically, the system controller 23 requests the controller 35 toswitch the destination to/from which data is written or read from thebank BK1, the bank BK2, or the bank BK3 to the bank BK0, and thensupplies the controller 35 with write or read of the normal data.

The system controller 23 of the recording and reproducing device 20requests the cartridge memory 11 to write or read the additional data.Specifically, the system controller 23 requests the controller 35 toswitch the destination to/from which data is written or read from thebank BK0 to the bank BK1, the bank BK2, or the bank BK3, and thensupplies the controller 35 with write or read of the additional data.

In response to the request from the system controller 23 to change thebank to/from which data is to be written or read, the controller 35 ofthe cartridge memory 11 switches the destination to/from which data iswritten or read from the bank BK1, the bank BK2, or the bank BK3 to thebank BK0. Alternatively, the destination to/from which data is writtenor read is switched from the bank BK0 to the bank BK1, the bank BK2, orthe bank BK3.

In response to the request from the system controller 23 to write orread the normal data, the controller 35 of the cartridge memory 11writes the normal data to the bank BK0 or reads the normal data from thebank BK0. Furthermore, in response to the request from the systemcontroller 23 to write or read the additional data, the additional datais written to the bank BK1, the bank BK2, or the bank BK3 or is readfrom the bank BK1, the bank BK2, or the bank BK3. Note that in writingthe normal data and the additional data, the normal data and theadditional data are supplied from the system controller 23 to thecontroller 35.

The system controller 23 and the controller 35 write or read datato/from the non-volatile memory on a word-by-word basis (2 bytes at atime) or on a block-by-block basis (32 bytes at a time).

[Operation of Recording and Reproducing System]

An example of the operation of the recording and reproducing system 100according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 5.

First, when the tape cartridge is loaded into the recording andreproducing device 20, for example, in step S11, the system controller23 of the recording and reproducing device 20 inquires of the cartridgememory of the tape cartridge being loaded whether or not the cartridgememory has an extended storage area.

In a case where a response that the cartridge memory has the extendedstorage area is not returned from the cartridge memory in response tothe inquiry of step S11, the system controller 23 determines that thecartridge memory is a general cartridge memory not having the extendedstorage area. On the other hand, in a case where a response that thecartridge memory has the extended storage area is returned from thecartridge memory, the system controller 23 determines that the cartridgememory is the cartridge memory 11 of the first embodiment having theextended storage area.

In the present specification, the “general cartridge memory” means aconventional cartridge memory conforming to the LTO-8 or IBM 3592standard, that is, a cartridge memory having a storage capacity of 16 kBwithout an extended storage area. Furthermore, the extended storage areameans a storage area exceeding 16 kB defined in the LTO-8 or IBM 3592standard, that is, the memory space of the banks BK1 to BK3.

In a case where it is determined in step S11 that the tape cartridge hasthe general cartridge memory, the following write or read processing ofthe normal data is performed. That is, if the system controller 23requests write or read of the normal data to a controller of the generalcartridge memory, in step S22, the controller of the general cartridgememory writes the normal data supplied from the system controller 23 tothe non-volatile memory or reads the normal data from the non-volatilememory and supplies the data to the system controller 23.

In a case where it is determined in step S11 that the cartridge memoryis the cartridge memory 11, the following write or read processing ofthe normal data and additional data is performed. That is, in step S13,the system controller 23 first determines whether or not write or readprocessing of the additional data has been performed. In a case where itis determined in step S13 that the write or read processing of theadditional data has been performed, the system controller 23 requeststhe controller 35 to change the destination to/from which data iswritten or read from the bank BK0 to the bank BK1 in step S14. Thecontroller 35 having received this request changes the destinationto/from which data is written or read from the bank BK0 to the bank BK1.

Next, in step S15, the system controller 23 requests the controller 35to write or read the additional data. The controller 35 having receivedthis request writes the additional data to the bank BK1 or reads theadditional data from the bank BK1 and supplies the additional data readto the system controller 23.

Next, in step S16, the system controller 23 requests the controller 35to change the destination to/from which data is written or read from thebank BK1 to the bank BK0. The controller 35 having received this requestchanges the destination to/from which data is written or read from thebank BK1 to the bank BK0.

In a case where it is determined in step S13 that the write or readprocessing of the additional data has not been performed but a requestto write or read the normal data has been made, the controller 35 writesthe normal data to the bank BK0 or reads the normal data from the bankBK0 and supplies the normal data read to the system controller 23 instep S17.

The normal data and the additional data are read when, for example, thetape cartridge 10 is loaded into the recording and reproducing device20. On the other hand, the normal data and the additional data arewritten when, for example, the tape cartridge 10 is unloaded from therecording and reproducing device 20 or data is recorded on the magnetictape MT.

Although the above operation describes the example in which theadditional data is written to the bank BK1, the additional data may bewritten to the bank BK2 or bank BK3 which is the extended storage areaother than the bank BK1. Furthermore, in a case where the additionaldata is so large that the storage capacity of the bank BK1 isinsufficient, the additional data may be written across the banks BK1and BK2, or across the banks BK1, BK2, and BK3.

[Effect]

In the recording and reproducing system 100 according to the firstembodiment, the controller 35 performs the write or read processing ofthe normal data on the bank BK0 among the plurality of banks BK0 to BK3,and performs the write or read processing of the additional data on thebank BK1 among the plurality of banks BK0 to BK3. Therefore, the storagecapacity can be improved while maintaining compatibility with the LTO-8or IBM 3592 standard.

2 Second Embodiment

A second embodiment describes an example of writing, as the additionaldata, a copy of the normal data written in the bank BK0 or an errorcorrection code of the normal data written in the bank BK0 to theextended storage area.

[Configuration of Recording and Reproducing Tape System]

A copy of the normal data written in the bank BK0 (additional data) oran error correction code of the normal data written in the bank BK0(additional data) is written to the bank BK1 which is the extendedstorage area.

After the normal data is written to the bank BK0, the system controller23 requests the controller 35 to write a copy of the normal data or anerror correction code of the normal data to the bank BK1, the bank BK2,or the bank BK3. In response to this request, the controller 35 writesthe copy of the normal data or the error correction code of the normaldata to the bank BK1, the bank BK2, or the bank BK3.

In a case where the normal data is read from the bank BK0 and suppliedfrom the cartridge memory 11 to the system controller 23, the systemcontroller 23 determines whether or not the normal data supplied isbroken. The determination as to whether or not the data read from thebank BK0 is broken is made by using, for example, an error detectingcode included in the normal data supplied from the cartridge memory 11.Note that the LTO standard defines that a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)is used as the error detecting code.

In a case where the system controller 23 determines that the normal datais not broken, the system controller supplies the normal data to theexternal computer 200, for example. On the other hand, in a case wherethe system controller 23 determines that the normal data is broken, thesystem controller requests the cartridge memory 11 to read the copy ofthe normal data or the error correction code of the normal data writtenin the bank BK1, the bank BK2, or the bank BK3. In response to thisrequest, the controller 35 reads the copy of the normal data or theerror correction code of the normal data from the bank BK1, the bankBK2, or the bank BK3, and makes a request to the system controller 23.

[Operation of Recording and Reproducing Tape System]

An example of the operation of the recording and reproducing system 100according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 6. Note that a step similar tothat in the operation of the recording and reproducing system 100 of thefirst embodiment is indicated by the same reference numeral as that inthe operation of the first embodiment and will not be described.

In a case where it is determined in step S11 that the cartridge memoryis the cartridge memory 11 according to the second embodiment, thefollowing write processing of the normal data and additional data isperformed. That is, in step S23, the system controller 23 first suppliesthe normal data to the controller 35. The controller 35 writes thenormal data supplied from the system controller 23 to the bank BK0.

Next, in step S24, the system controller 23 requests the controller 35to switch the destination to which data is written from the bank BK0corresponding to the storage area of an existing cartridge memory to thebank BK1 corresponding to the extended storage area. In response to thisrequest, the controller 35 switches the destination to which data iswritten from the bank BK0 to the bank BK1.

Next, in step S25, the system controller 23 supplies the controller 35with a copy of the normal data written to the bank BK0 in step S23 or anerror correction code of the normal data written to the bank BK0 in stepS23. The controller 35 writes the copy of the normal data or the errorcorrection code of the normal data supplied from the system controller23 to the bank BK1.

Next, in step S26, the system controller 23 requests the controller 35to switch the destination to/from which data is written or read from thebank BK1 to the bank BK0. In response to this request, the controller 35switches the destination to/from which data is written or read from thebank BK1 to the bank BK0. The destination to/from which data is writtenor read is switched to the bank BK0 as described herein so that, in acase where the tape cartridge 10 is loaded into a general recording andreproducing device, the general recording and reproducing device canperform write or read processing of normal data on the tape cartridge 10as it does on a general cartridge.

Here, the “general recording and reproducing device” means aconventional recording and reproducing device that can write or readdata to/from the storage area of an existing cartridge memory (that is,the 16 kB storage area (bank BK0) defined by the LTO-8 or IBM 3592standard) but cannot write or read data to/from the extended storagearea (banks BK1 to BK3).

Although the above operation describes the example in which the copy ofthe normal data or the error correction code of the normal data iswritten to the bank BK1, the copy of the normal data or the errorcorrection code thereof may be written to the bank BK2 or the bank BK3.

[Effect]

In the recording and reproducing system 100 according to the secondembodiment, the system controller 23 of the recording and reproducingdevice 20 writes the copy of the normal data or the error correctioncode of the normal data written in the bank BK0 to the bank BK1 which isthe extended storage area. Thus, in a case where the normal data readfrom the bank BK0 is found to be broken, the system controller 23 canread the copy of the normal data or the error correction code of thenormal data from the bank BK1. As a result, the broken normal data canbe restored so that the reliability of the write data can be improved.

3 Third Embodiment

A third embodiment describes an example of writing management ledgerdata to the extended storage area or reading management ledger data fromthe extended storage area.

[Configuration of Recording and Reproducing Tape System]

Management ledger data (additional data) defined in JIS Z-6019 iswritten to the bank BK1 which is the extended storage area. Although anexample of writing the management ledger data to the bank BK1 isdescribed herein, the management ledger data may be written to the bankBK2 or the bank BK3 which is the extended storage area other than thebank BK1. Furthermore, in a case where the management ledger data is solarge that the storage capacity of the bank BK1 is insufficient, themanagement ledger data may be written across the banks BK1 and BK2, oracross the banks BK1, BK2, and BK3.

The system controller 23 of the recording and reproducing device 20requests the cartridge memory 11 to write or read the management ledgerdata. Specifically, the system controller 23 requests the controller 35to switch the destination to/from which data is to be written or readfrom the bank BK0 to the bank BK1, and then requests the controller 35to write or read the management ledger data. The management ledger datais written when, for example, the tape cartridge 10 is unloaded from therecording and reproducing device 20 or the like. The management ledgerdata is read when, for example, the tape cartridge 10 is loaded into therecording and reproducing device 20 or the like.

In response to the request from the system controller 23, the controller35 of the cartridge memory 11 switches the destination to/from whichdata is written or read from the bank BK0 to the bank BK1. Furthermore,in response to the request from the system controller 23, the managementledger data is written to the bank BK1 or is read from the bank BK1 andsupplied to the system controller 23.

[Operation of Recording and Reproducing Tape System]

An example of the operation of the recording and reproducing system 100according to the third embodiment will be described below with referenceto FIG. 7. Note that a step similar to that in the operation of therecording and reproducing system 100 of the first embodiment isindicated by the same reference numeral as that in the operation of thefirst embodiment and will not be described.

In a case where it is determined in step S11 that the cartridge memoryis the cartridge memory 11 according to the third embodiment, thefollowing write or read processing of data is performed.

First, in step S31, the system controller 23 determines whether or notwrite or read processing of a deposit ledger has been performed. In acase where it is determined in step S31 that the write or readprocessing of the deposit ledger has been performed, the systemcontroller 23 requests the controller 35 to change the destinationto/from which data is written or read from the bank BK0 to the bank BK1in step S32. The controller 35 having received this request changes thedestination to/from which data is written or read from the bank BK0 tothe bank BK1.

Next, in step S33, the system controller 23 requests the controller 35to write or read the management ledger data. The controller 35 havingreceived this request writes the management ledger data to the bank BK1or reads the management ledger data from the bank BK1.

Next, in step S34, the system controller 23 requests the controller 35to change the destination to/from which data is written or read from thebank BK1 to the bank BK0. The controller 35 having received this requestchanges the destination to/from which data is written or read from thebank BK1 to the bank BK0.

In a case where it is determined in step S31 that the write or readprocessing of the deposit ledger has not been performed but normal reador write processing has been requested, the controller 35 writes thenormal data to the bank BK0 or reads the normal data from the bank BK0in step S35.

[Effect]

The recording and reproducing system 100 according to the thirdembodiment can switch the bank switch register 41 and write themanagement ledger data to the bank BK1 or the like which is the extendedstorage area. Therefore, a search of the management ledger data can besped up compared to a case where the management ledger data is writtenon the magnetic tape MT.

On the other hand, in a case where the management ledger data is not tobe written, the normal data can be written to the bank BK0 or read fromthe bank BK0. Therefore, the bank BK0 can be treated as a non-volatilememory of a normal cartridge memory.

The JIS Z-6019 defines that the management ledger data is to be writtenin a storage for file management, where the management ledger data isrequired for each file to be managed. As the capacity of the magnetictape increases, the number of files that can be written also increasesso that the storage capacity of 16 KB established by LTO-8 isinsufficient. Thus, a conventional recording and reproducing systemneeds to record the management ledger data on the magnetic tapesimultaneously with a file, and also needs to access the magnetic tapeeach time the management ledger data is to be accessed. Therefore, asearch for necessary information is performed after all informationstored on the magnetic tape is read, whereby the magnetic tape thatreads data not electrically but physically has a problem that the searchtakes time.

4 Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment describes an example of writing index information tothe extended storage area or reading index information from the extendedstorage area.

[Configuration of Recording and Reproducing Tape System]

Index information is written to the bank BK1 which is the extendedstorage area. The index information is a management table (additionaldata) for managing a file system. The file system is a Liner Tape FileSystem (LTFS), for example.

Although an example of writing the index information to the bank BK1 isdescribed herein, the index information may be written to the bank BK2or BK3 which is the extended storage area other than the bank BK1.Furthermore, in a case where the index information is so large that thestorage capacity of the bank BK1 is insufficient, the index informationmay be written across the banks BK1 and BK2, or across the banks BK1,BK2, and BK3.

The system controller 23 of the recording and reproducing device 20requests the cartridge memory 11 to write or read the index information.Specifically, the system controller 23 requests the controller 35 toswitch the destination to/from which data is written or read from thebank BK0 to the bank BK1, and then requests the controller 35 to writeor read the index information. The index information is read when, forexample, the tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the recording andreproducing device 20 or the like. The index information is writtenwhen, for example, data is recorded on the magnetic tape MT or the like.

In response to the request from the system controller 23, the controller35 of the cartridge memory 11 switches the destination to/from whichdata is written or read from the bank BK0 to the bank BK1. Furthermore,in response to the request from the system controller 23, the indexinformation is written to the bank BK1 or read from the bank BK1.

[Operation of Recording and Reproducing Tape System]

An example of the operation of the recording and reproducing system 100according to the fourth embodiment will be described below withreference to FIG. 8. Note that a step similar to that in the operationof the recording and reproducing system 100 of the first embodiment isindicated by the same reference numeral as that in the operation of thefirst embodiment and will not be described.

In a case where it is determined in step S11 that the cartridge memoryis the cartridge memory 11 according to the fourth embodiment, thefollowing write or read processing of data is performed.

First, in step S41, the system controller 23 determines whether or notwrite or read processing of the index information has been performed. Ina case where it is determined in step S41 that the write or readprocessing of the index information has been performed, the systemcontroller 23 requests the controller 35 to change the destinationto/from which data is written or read from the bank BK0 to the bank BK1in step S42. The controller 35 having received this request changes thedestination to/from which data is written or read from the bank BK0 tothe bank BK1.

Next, in step S43, the system controller 23 requests the controller 35to write or read the index information. The controller 35 havingreceived this request writes the index information to the bank BK1 orreads the index information from the bank BK1.

Next, in step S44, the system controller 23 requests the controller 35to change the destination to/from which data is written or read from thebank BK1 to the bank BK0. The controller 35 having received this requestchanges the destination to/from which data is written or read from thebank BK1 to the bank BK0.

In a case where it is determined in step S41 that the write or readprocessing of the index information has not been performed but a requestto write or read the normal data has been made, the controller 35 writesthe normal data to the bank BK0 or reads the normal data from the bankBK0 in step S45.

[Effect]

In the LTFS specification, the magnetic tape is divided into partitionsso that about 4% of the capacity of the magnetic tape is reserved forwriting LTFS index information. The magnetic tape, by its nature, issuitable for sequential access but not for random access. Data iswritten additionally even in a case where a file is updated, and thefile before the update is not deleted but only invalidated. Theaccompanying LTFS index information is also added repeatedly on an LTFSindex partition. Therefore, in order to access a certain file, it isnecessary to search the LTFS index partition and look for the latestindex information on the magnetic tape. Due to this operation, aconventional recording and reproducing system has a problem that thespeed of the tape system using LTFS is slow. Furthermore, in order toachieve some speed-up, a tape library vendor recommends an option thatachieves speed-up by causing the cartridge memory to store the locationon the tape with the latest LTFS index information within the limitationof the capacity of the cartridge memory (16 KB for LTO8).

The recording and reproducing system 100 according to the fourthembodiment is configured to write the index information only to thecartridge memory 11 suitable for random access, not to the magnetic tapeMT. Therefore, more data can be written to the magnetic tape MT sincethe partition of about 4% thereof described above become unnecessary.Furthermore, in updating the index information, it is only required tooverwrite existing index information without the need for additionalwrite, so that the latest index information can always be accessed athigh speed and that the recording and reproducing system 100 can be spedup.

5 Variation

Although the first to fourth embodiments of the present disclosure havebeen described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited tothe above first to fourth embodiments but can be modified in variousways based on the technical ideas of the present disclosure.

For example, the configurations, methods, steps, numerical values, andthe like described in the first to fourth embodiments above are merelyexamples, and configurations, methods, steps, numerical values, and thelike different therefrom may be used as necessary.

Furthermore, the configurations, methods, steps, numerical values, andthe like of the first to fourth embodiments above can be combined withone another without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

Although the first to fourth embodiments above describe the example ofconfiguring the bank memory with the four banks BK0 to BK3 using four 16KB memories, the configuration of the bank memory is not limitedthereto.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, an apparent four-bank memory maybe configured by using a memory 51 with the storage capacity of 64 KBand dividing the 64 KB memory into four using, for example, upper twoaddress bits of each word. Alternatively, although not shown in thedrawing, an apparent four-bank memory may be configured by using twomemories each with the storage capacity of 32 KB and similarly dividingeach 32 KB memory into two. Also, the bank switch address is not limitedto the upper two bits but may be allocated anywhere.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a two-bank memory with each bankhaving 128 KB may be configured by using a memory 52 with the storagecapacity of 256 KB. In the ISO 14443-2 standard, two access methodsbeing word-by-word access and block-by block access can be selected,where addressing is performed with the address width of 12 bits for theword-by-word access and 16 bits for the block-by-block access. The12-bit address width becomes a constraint for enabling access both on aword-by-word basis and a block-by-block basis so that only the capacityof 128 KB can be realized, but the present variation can extend thecapacity up to 256 KB for use.

The first to fourth embodiments above describe the case where the systemcontroller 23 and the controller 35 write or read data to/from thenon-volatile memory 36 on a word-by-word basis (2 bytes at a time) or ona block-by-block basis (32 bytes at a time), but the system controller23 and the controller 35 may write or read data to/from the non-volatilememory 36 on a block-by-block basis (32 bytes at a time). In this case,each of the banks BK0 to BK3 has the storage capacity of 2 MB or less,preferably 16 KB or more and 2 MB or less.

The first to fourth embodiments above describe the case where each ofthe plurality of banks included in the non-volatile memory 36 has thestorage capacity of 16 KB or more than or equal to 16 KB, but each ofthe plurality of banks included in the non-volatile memory 36 may havethe storage capacity of less than 16 KB. Specifically, each of theplurality of banks included in the non-volatile memory 36 may have thestorage capacity of (16/n) KB (where “n” is a positive integer), forexample, 8 KB. In this case, the normal data is written across aplurality of banks (first memory banks) with the storage capacity of 16KB in total. For example, in a case where each of the plurality of banksincluded in the non-volatile memory 36 has the storage capacity of 8 KB,the normal data is written across two banks (first memory banks).

Although the first to fourth embodiments above describe the case wherethe present disclosure is applied to the recording and reproducingdevice, the present disclosure is not limited thereto but may be appliedto a library apparatus, a storage system, or the like.

Furthermore, the present disclosure can also adopt the followingconfigurations.

(1)

A cartridge memory used for a tape cartridge, including:

a communication unit that communicates with a recording and reproducingdevice using a wireless communication method defined by an ISO 14443-2standard which is a wireless communication standard;

a non-volatile memory with a storage capacity exceeding 16 KB; and

a control unit that writes or reads data to or from the non-volatilememory on a word-by-word basis (2 bytes at a time) or on ablock-by-block basis (32 bytes at a time), in which

the non-volatile memory includes a plurality of memory banks each havinga storage capacity of 128 KB or less,

the control unit writes or reads data defined by a magnetic tapestandard to or from one or two or more first memory banks among theplurality of the memory banks, and additional data is written or read toor from one or two or more second memory banks other than the firstmemory bank.

(2)

A cartridge memory used for a tape cartridge, including:

a communication unit that communicates with a recording and reproducingdevice using a wireless communication method defined by an ISO 14443-2standard which is a wireless communication standard;

a non-volatile memory with a storage capacity exceeding 16 KB; and

a control unit that writes or reads data to or from the non-volatilememory on a block-by-block basis (32 bytes at a time), in which

the non-volatile memory includes a plurality of memory banks each havinga storage capacity of 2 MB or less,

the control unit writes or reads data defined by a magnetic tapestandard to or from one or two or more first memory banks among theplurality of the memory banks, and

additional data is written or read to or from one or two or more secondmemory banks other than the first memory bank.

(3)

The cartridge memory according to (1), in which the memory bank has astorage capacity of 16 KB or more and 128 KB or less.

(4)

The cartridge memory according to (2), in which the memory bank has astorage capacity of 16 KB or more and 2 MB or less.

(5)

The cartridge memory according to any one of (1) to (4), in which theadditional data is management ledger data defined in JIS Z6019.

(6)

The cartridge memory according to any one of (1) to (4), in which theadditional data is a management table for managing a file system.

(7)

The cartridge memory according to (6), in which the file system is alinear tape file system.

(8)

The cartridge memory according to any one of (1) to (4), in which theadditional data is a copy or an error correction code of data written tothe first memory bank.

(9)

The cartridge memory according to any one of (1) to (8), in which thenon-volatile memory further includes a memory bank switch register forswitching the plurality of the memory banks.

(10)

A tape cartridge including the cartridge memory according to any one of(1) to (9).

(11)

A recording and reproducing system including:

a tape cartridge including the cartridge memory according to any one of(1) to (9); and

a recording and reproducing device that can load or unload the tapecartridge.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   10 Tape cartridge-   11 Cartridge memory-   20 Recording and reproducing device-   21 Reader/writer-   22 Recording and reproducing unit-   23 System controller-   24 Interface-   31 Antenna coil-   32 Rectifier power supply circuit-   33 Clock circuit-   34 Detector/modulator circuit-   35 Controller-   36 Non-volatile memory-   41 Bank switch register-   42 Multiplexer-   100 Recording and reproducing system-   200 External computer-   BK0 Bank (first memory bank)-   BK1 to BK3 Bank (second memory bank)-   MT Magnetic tape

The invention claimed is:
 1. A cartridge memory used for a tapecartridge, comprising: a communication unit that communicates with arecording and reproducing device using a wireless communication methoddefined by a wireless communication standard; a non-volatile memory; anda control unit that writes or reads data to or from the non-volatilememory, wherein the non-volatile memory includes a plurality of memorybanks each having a storage capacity of 128 KB or less, the control unitwrites or reads data defined by a magnetic tape standard to or from oneor two or more first memory banks among the plurality of the memorybanks, and additional data is written or read to or from one or two ormore second memory banks other than the first memory bank.
 2. Acartridge memory used for a tape cartridge, comprising: a communicationunit that communicates with a recording and reproducing device using awireless communication method defined by a wireless communicationstandard; a non-volatile memory; and a control unit that writes or readsdata to or from the non-volatile memory, wherein the non-volatile memoryincludes a plurality of memory banks each having a storage capacity of 2MB or less, the control unit writes or reads data defined by a magnetictape standard to or from one or two or more first memory banks among theplurality of the memory banks, and additional data is written or read toor from one or two or more second memory banks other than the firstmemory bank.
 3. The cartridge memory according to claim 1, wherein thememory bank has a storage capacity of 16 KB or more and 128 KB or less.4. The cartridge memory according to claim 2, wherein the memory bankhas a storage capacity of 16 KB or more and 2 MB or less.
 5. Thecartridge memory according to claim 1, wherein the additional data ismanagement ledger data defined in JIS Z6019.
 6. The cartridge memoryaccording to claim 1, wherein the additional data is a management tablefor managing a file system.
 7. The cartridge memory according to claim6, wherein the file system is a linear tape file system.
 8. Thecartridge memory according to claim 1, wherein the additional data is acopy or an error correction code of data written to the first memorybank.
 9. The cartridge memory according to claim 1, wherein thenon-volatile memory further comprises a memory bank switch register forswitching the plurality of the memory banks.
 10. A tape cartridgecomprising the cartridge memory according to claim
 1. 11. A recordingand reproducing system comprising: a tape cartridge including thecartridge memory according to claim 1; and a recording and reproducingdevice that can load or unload the tape cartridge.
 12. A tape cartridgecomprising the cartridge memory according to claim
 2. 13. A recordingand reproducing system comprising: a tape cartridge including thecartridge memory according to claim 2; and a recording and reproducingdevice that can load or unload the tape cartridge.